Easter: Thursday, May 24, 2007

Old Testament Lesson

Ezekiel 18:1-4, 19-32

We see here the Lord say that we are each responsible for ourselves. If we are faithful, we will live, but if we are unfaithful, we will not have life. He tells Ezekiel that the one that sins is responsible for that sin. While the effects of the sin of the parents are passed down to the children, the children will not be judged for the sins of the parents. The parents will be judged for their own sin, just as the children will be judged for their own sin.

While we may learn sin from parents or others, we are ultimately responsible for our own sin and our own decisions. We must take pain to look within ourselves, make wise choices, and do what is right. Let us not lay our mistakes at the feet of others, but let us learn from them. Let us grow from there. Every mistake can be a way to grow, but only if we choose to learn lessons. Let us examine our lives, our choices, and our weakness, and learn from that. And, in that, we can grow closer to the Lord.

New Testament Lesson

Hebrews 7:18-28

Jesus is the mediator of the New Covenant, and through Him, we have access to grace and love and peace. Through Him, we can know God, we can know life, and we can know freedom. For by grace through faith we are saved, and that grace through faith is the ultimate freedom. We are saved not by the things we have done, or are doing, but by faith. Likewise, our mistakes do not cause us eternal condemnation. It is grace through faith by Jesus. Today, let us be thankful for that freedom we have in Christ.

Gospel Lesson

Luke 10:25-37

First, what must we do to inherit eternal life? Serve on the PPC committee? Be a preacher? Be a bishop? Teach Sunday School? Got to church? What did Jesus say today? Love your God, love your neighbor. Love God with all that you have. Love God with every fiber of your being. Love Him with abandon. Love your neighbor like you love yourself. Revere your neighbor. Serve your neighbor. Help your neighbor. Lay down your life for your neighbor. What must we do? Love God and Neighbor. That's the list.

Who is your neighbor? Anyone you meet.